Route Surveying

INTRODUCTION

Engr. Voncy
 Route Surveying
Introduction
What is curve?

ME33 : Fluid Flow 3

Engr. Voncy
Chapter 11: Flow over bodies; lift and drag
 Route Surveying

ME33 : Fluid Flow 3

Engr. Voncy
Chapter 11: Flow over bodies; lift and drag
 Route Surveying

ME33 : Fluid Flow 3

Engr. Voncy
Chapter 11: Flow over bodies; lift and drag
 Route Surveying

ME33 : Fluid Flow 3

Engr. Voncy
Chapter 11: Flow over bodies; lift and drag
 Route Surveying

ME33 : Fluid Flow 3

Engr. Voncy
Chapter 11: Flow over bodies; lift and drag
 Route Surveying

ME33 : Fluid Flow 3

Engr. Voncy
Chapter 11: Flow over bodies; lift and drag
 Route Surveying
Introduction
Curves are generally used on highways and railways where it is necessary to
change the alignment. When two straights of a highway or railway are at same
angle each other, a curve is introduced between them to avoid an abrupt
change in direction and to make the vehicle move safely, smoothly and
comfortably. A curve is provided at the intersection of the two straights to
effect a gradual change in the direction. This change in direction of the
straights may be in a horizontal or a vertical plane, resulting in the provision of
a horizontal or a vertical curve, respectively.

ME33 : Fluid Flow 3

Engr. Voncy
Chapter 11: Flow over bodies; lift and drag
 Route Surveying
Introduction
A horizontal curve is provided at the point where the two straight lines intersect in the
horizontal plane. When the curve is provided in the horizontal plane, it is known as a
horizontal curve. The horizontal curves are further classified as simple circular,
compound, reverse, transition and combined curves.

A vertical curve is provided at the point where the two straight lines at different
gradients intersect in the vertical plane. In such a case, a parabolic curved path is
provided in the vertical plane in order to connect the gradients for easy movement of
the vehicles. Vertical curves are usually parabolic and are classified as summit and sag
vertical curve.

ME33 : Fluid Flow 3

Engr. Voncy
Chapter 11: Flow over bodies; lift and drag
 Route Surveying

Different Forms of Curves

Curve

Horizontal Vertical
Curve Curve

Simple Compound Reverse Spiral Summit Sag

Curve Curve Curve Curve Curve Curve

ME33 : Fluid Flow 3

Engr. Voncy
Chapter 11: Flow over bodies; lift and drag
 SIMPLE CURVE

A simple curve is a circular arc, extending

from one tangent to the next.

ME33 : Fluid Flow 3

Engr. Voncy
Chapter 11: Flow over bodies; lift and drag
 SIMPLE CURVE

ME33 : Fluid Flow 3

Engr. Voncy
Chapter 11: Flow over bodies; lift and drag
 SIMPLE CURVE
Terminologies in Simple Curve
PC = Point of curvature. It is the beginning of curve.
PT = Point of tangency. It is the end of curve.
PI = Point of intersection of the tangents. Also called vertex
T = Length of tangent from PC to PI and from PI to PT. It is known as subtangent.
R = Radius of simple curve, or simply radius.
L = Length of chord from PC to PT. Point Q as shown below is the midpoint of L.
Lc = Length of curve from PC to PT. Point M in the the figure is the midpoint of Lc.
E = External distance, the nearest distance from PI to the curve.
m = Middle ordinate, the distance from midpoint of curve to midpoint of chord.
I = Deflection angle (also called angle of intersection and central angle). It is the angle of
intersection of the tangents. The angle subtended by PC and PT at O is also equal to I,
where O is the center of the circular curve from the above figure.
x = offset distance from tangent to the curve. Note: x is perpendicular to T.
θ = offset angle subtended at PC between PI and any point in the curve
D = Degree of curve. It is the central angle subtended by a length of curve equal to one
station. In English system, one station is equal to 100 ft and in SI, one station is equal to 20 m.
Sub chord = chord distance between two adjacent full stations.

ME33 : Fluid Flow 3

Engr. Voncy
Chapter 11: Flow over bodies; lift and drag
 SIMPLE CURVE

ME33 : Fluid Flow 3

Engr. Voncy
Chapter 11: Flow over bodies; lift and drag
 SIMPLE CURVE

ME33 : Fluid Flow 3

Engr. Voncy
Chapter 11: Flow over bodies; lift and drag
 SIMPLE CURVE

ME33 : Fluid Flow 3

Engr. Voncy
Chapter 11: Flow over bodies; lift and drag
 SIMPLE CURVE

ME33 : Fluid Flow 3

Engr. Voncy
Chapter 11: Flow over bodies; lift and drag
 SIMPLE CURVE
Problem 1

A simple curve has a central angle of 36o and a degree of curve of 6o.

a. Find the nearest distance from the midpoint of the curve to the
point of intersection of the tangents.

b. Compute the distance from the midpoint of the curve to the long
chord joining the point of curvature and point of tangency.

c. If the stationing of the point of curvature is at 10+020, compute the

stationing of a point on the curve which intersects with the line
making a deflection angle of 8 with the tangent through the P.C.

ME33 : Fluid Flow 3

Engr. Voncy
Chapter 11: Flow over bodies; lift and drag
 SIMPLE CURVE
Problem 2

The tangents of a simple curve have bearings of N 20o E and N 80o E

respectively. The radius of the curve is 200m. Compute for the:

a. External Distance of the curve

b. Middle Ordinate of the curve

c. Stationing of point A on the curve having a deflection angle of 6o

from PC which is at 1 + 200.

ME33 : Fluid Flow 3

Engr. Voncy
Chapter 11: Flow over bodies; lift and drag
 SIMPLE CURVE
Problem 3

A simple curve connects two tangents AB and BC with bearings N 85o 30’ E
and S 68o 30’ E respectively. If the stationing of the vertex is 4 + 360.2
and the stationing at PC is 4 + 288.4, determine the following:

a. Radius of the curve

b. External distance

c. Middle ordinate

d. Chord distance

e. Length of curve

ME33 : Fluid Flow 3

Engr. Voncy
Chapter 11: Flow over bodies; lift and drag
 SIMPLE CURVE
Problem 4

The tangent distance of a 3o simple curve is only ½ of its radius.

a. Compute the angle of intersection of the curve.

b. Compute the length of curve

c. Compute the area of the fillet of a curve.

ME33 : Fluid Flow 3

Engr. Voncy
Chapter 11: Flow over bodies; lift and drag
 SIMPLE CURVE
Three tangent lines AB, BC and CD of a traverse have azimuths of 228o
15’, 253o 30’ and 315o 18’ respectively. The stationing of B I (10+585) and
that of C is (10+885). A proposed highway curve is to connect these three
tangents.

a. Compute the radius of the simple curve that connects these tangents.

b. Compute the stationing at PC.

c. Compute the stationing at PT.

d. Compute the length of curve from PC to PT.

ME33 : Fluid Flow 3

Engr. Voncy
Chapter 11: Flow over bodies; lift and drag